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| 1 | 2 | 3 |  » Stats |
Members: 34,080
Threads: 51,281
Posts: 560,863
Top Poster: glsammy (13,483)
| | Welcome to our newest member, sumbody | | |
Welcome to the Wild About Britain forums | | | |  | | 
05-10-2009, 07:19 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 596
| | | I want a Campervan
My Boyfriend and I love Camping, we've come to the point of our lives that I think It's time to upgrade from a Tent to a Camper-van. Well it seems the last 3 years of Nagging him has finally paid off. Last week he sent me an email of a Camper-van on EBay and asked me what I thought, It wasn't something I would personally buy, but at the time I didn't know it had a shower and poo pooed the idea.
Camping in a Tent is just wonderful, but I think as one gets Older One needs more comforts. When I met my Boyfriend 3 years ago he didn't even like the idea of Camping chairs, but I soon changed his mind, he thinks there great now. He was just a Sleeping Bag and Stove sorter man, didn't believe in comforts when it came to camping.
Camper-vans are simple, you arrive at your destination and put the kettle on, with Tents, you have to un-pack, put your accommodation up, make the bed, set the stove up, and then put the kettle on.
Watch this space for further developments...  I'm dead excited... |
05-10-2009, 07:33 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Aviemore
Posts: 838
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
So do I.
I have an extra problem though, I passed my driving test in an automatic, so can't drive manual gearbox vehicles. So I need to find a Campervan with an automatic gearbox.
__________________ I'd like mornings better if they started later. My Flickr Site |
05-10-2009, 07:48 PM
|  | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Aylsham, Norfolk.
Posts: 470
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
I think i need a camper van too.
The other half doesn't seem to keen on camping, likes her home comforts!!!
I was in Scotland earlier in the year and couldn't be bothered to put the tent up so roughed it in the car with camping mats, clothes and a rucksack stuffed up the windows to keep the light out. |
05-10-2009, 08:50 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2,383
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
I'd like a camper van but they do seem a bit expensive for us and really hold their price. As a compromise, the missus and I are seriously thinking about getting a folding camper (they are considerably cheaper and can be towed by a smaller car than a caravan). I'm quite happy in a little two-man tent, but the 'trouble and strife' wants a bit more luxury. She's right really and it would be great for our little girl too. We could have some tremendous family holidays.
Regards, Chris |
05-10-2009, 09:00 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 596
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
Just read your post ChrisJB and some Ebay advertisment came up along side it, this could help you out slightly I thinik. |
05-10-2009, 09:42 PM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 43
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
You could always try your hand at turning a regular van into one. Miles cheaper, if you've the skills. |
05-10-2009, 09:50 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 596
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
Quote:
Originally Posted by evilgrayson  You could always try your hand at turning a regular van into one. Miles cheaper, if you've the skills. | Have spent many moments on thinking of how I would design my own Camper-van, but have come to the conclusion that you need the shell first. |
05-10-2009, 11:37 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 712
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
Quote:
Originally Posted by BloomingMarvellous Camper-vans are simple, you arrive at your destination and put the kettle on, with Tents, you have to un-pack, put your accommodation up, make the bed, set the stove up, and then put the kettle on.
| Maybe so, but when I did the Coast to Coast walk. I was camping every night for 12 nights and I pitched my Laser Comp to a T, perfect everytime  .
I think that's the fun about camping with a tent, it's an adventure and most men like myself, think it's like a second childhood .
Can't see me with a camper-van,(can't drive  ) I always thought there were for rich retired couples, who sit there on the road-side drinking tea or coffee out of their flasks, doing the sunday crossword . |
06-10-2009, 06:19 AM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 6,586
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
I did buy a camper van five years ago and got rid of it a year later. Far too expensive to run (lowish MPG) plus getting around wasn't as easy as with your own car.
If you still keep a car then you have to pay Car Tax, MOT's, repairs and the general upkeep on top of what you already pay for your car.
It depends what you want from it. A tent is great as you can drive around in your car then go back to your tent. The campervan goes where you go and isn't always as flexible.
Obviously if you buy one of those small ones that's different but you are cramped for space in one of those. Once you go to the larger ones you start to lose the flexibility you have with a car.
John |
06-10-2009, 04:57 PM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Broad hinton - thats in wiltshire
Posts: 9,618
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
I have an estate car and if its just me i'd sleep in the back - when MBGitW is along i'd take a tent
Ideally i'd love an old syle VW camper but the issues john mentions put me off actually getting one
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06-10-2009, 05:07 PM
|  | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hastings, East Sussex
Posts: 340
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
If you can run to it a land rover based camper is great for 2 people as you can get off the beaten track with it. Failing that a land rover with a roof tent is a good compromise. |
06-10-2009, 05:12 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Watford, Hertfordshire.
Posts: 2,454
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
We recently bought a second hand 'Dandy' folding camper and are very pleased with it. Dandy Forum - Dandy Forum
It doesn't use canvas, but is made from double walled pvc with foam insulation in between. This means that it is warm in cold weather and cool(ish) in hot. It also doesn't hold water and be liable to rot if packed away wet. Although I have a 1800cc car, apparently the Dandy will tow quite satisfactorily with 1300cc.
Jim |
06-10-2009, 07:17 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2,383
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Ford We recently bought a second hand 'Dandy' folding camper and are very pleased with it. Dandy Forum - Dandy Forum
It doesn't use canvas, but is made from double walled pvc with foam insulation in between. This means that it is warm in cold weather and cool(ish) in hot. It also doesn't hold water and be liable to rot if packed away wet. Although I have a 1800cc car, apparently the Dandy will tow quite satisfactorily with 1300cc.
Jim | I've been looking at these myself Jim, but having had a shufty at a Conway Countryman recently, I've got my heart set on one of these. They are pricey though and we will have the drying issue. We have a 1600cc Focus and apparently they are no problem to tow with one. However, I've never towed anything in my life and the prospect does scare me a trifle.
Regards, Chris |
06-10-2009, 07:19 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2,383
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
Quote:
Originally Posted by BloomingMarvellous Just read your post ChrisJB and some Ebay advertisment came up along side it, this could help you out slightly I thinik. | How odd. Just noticed that.
Regards, Chris |
06-10-2009, 07:42 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Watford, Hertfordshire.
Posts: 2,454
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisJB We have a 1600cc Focus and apparently they are no problem to tow with one. However, I've never towed anything in my life and the prospect does scare me a trifle. | I find that engine capacity isn't the main issue. I have an 1800 cc 20 valve turbo in mine, producing 180 BHP, but I think towing would be easier with a lower power diesel, giving more torque at lower speeds. Being restricted to 60 mph I find I'm having to keep changing between 4th and 5th on undulating roads. I think the car would be happier towing at 80 mph!
Jim |
06-10-2009, 07:47 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2,383
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Ford I find that engine capacity isn't the main issue. I have an 1800 cc 20 valve turbo in mine, producing 180 BHP, but I think towing would be easier with a lower power diesel, giving more torque at lower speeds. Being restricted to 60 mph I find I'm having to keep changing between 4th and 5th on undulating roads. I think the car would be happier towing at 80 mph!
Jim | I've read similar to what you say Jim, but to be honest I'm a bit thick on stuff like this and I don't really 'get it'.  I need to get a towbar fitted too and these are more expensive than I was expecting as well. I was also wondering if I need extension side-mirrors when towing a folding camper?
Regards, Chris |
06-10-2009, 07:57 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Watford, Hertfordshire.
Posts: 2,454
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisJB I need to get a towbar fitted too and these are more expensive than I was expecting as well. | I had a detachable towbar fitted. I think it was worth the extra. It cost around £400. Coming from an engineering background, I could have fitted it myself, but had put some money aside and couldn't be faffed. Quote: |
I was also wondering if I need extension side-mirrors when towing a folding camper?
| I find the side mirrors OK - the camper is the same width as the car. The windscreen rear view mirror is pretty useless though - all I can see is the camper!
Jim |
06-10-2009, 09:35 PM
|  | Wild Member | | Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Shropshire/Wales border
Posts: 163
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
I had a succession of small vans a few years ago, starting with a mini van, morris minor, ford escort and fiat citivan and regularly used to sleep in the back of all of them. Short on comfort and length to be honest (especially if you're over 5'7'' (I'm not) but brilliant for parking up anywhere, specially on climbing trips. I did get into a rut of sleeping in the back when I found myself living 200 miles from my workplace and that wasn't so much fun. But in general I think they're good, useful and cheap. All depends on how much sapce and comfort you need.
I'd like a camper van now and would have to call it Beethoven - as in Camper Van Beethoven Always thought that was a great name for a band. |
06-10-2009, 10:11 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 6,586
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
I have an Astra Estate and those that know me know that I regularly sleep in it. I pull down the back seats which creates plenty of space to sleep in. I take a single thin mattress with me, a duvet and a pillow and I am as snug as a bug in a rug.
Very flexible, very cheap and gets me where I want to be at the end of each day.
John |
06-10-2009, 10:17 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Bakewell, Derbyshire.
Posts: 1,960
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
I had a VW camper van (transporter with a 'Devon' conversion) and loved it.....some of the time! It was great for weekends away and holidays when my daughter was little.....but I found it much too cramped as she got a bit older....and taller!
It had a lift up roof where there was a section you could slide along to make her a base for sleeping. Once it was slid across, there was no chance of standing up straight! 
After a 3 week hol touring Cornwall, I returned home with severe back ache from stooping too much......and ended up having a course of physio! 
It's my dream to have one this sort of size...... Quality Motorhomes For Sale at Oak Tree Motorhomes Limited in Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottingham UK
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06-10-2009, 10:25 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 596
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
Quote:
Originally Posted by John I have an Astra Estate and those that know me know that I regularly sleep in it. I pull down the back seats which creates plenty of space to sleep in. I take a single thin mattress with me, a duvet and a pillow and I am as snug as a bug in a rug.
Very flexible, very cheap and gets me where I want to be at the end of each day.
John | I did the same thing in my Morris Traveller, what a fun car that was. It had been converted to a two seater and the whole back was flat, big enough for 2 small people to sleep in. |
07-10-2009, 02:47 AM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Geheim
Posts: 648
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
I used to have a Hanomag-Henschel. Ex mlitary. One of the last ever made. Wonderful truck. Only 55mph top end but it would trudge up anything. There was no stopping it. The cab had a 200 degree HMG mount over the passenger seat, (no HMG tho'). A huge great box on the back and a side door, windows and two rear doors with steps. You could roll up some where, face east, open the doors and watch the setting sun. Lovely!
I prefer a one man tent when walking alone tho'.
h
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07-10-2009, 10:07 AM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Watford, Hertfordshire.
Posts: 2,454
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
Quote:
Originally Posted by tcvarlh You could roll up some where, face east, open the doors and watch the setting sun. | So where were you that you could watch the sun setting in the East?
;^)
Jim |
07-10-2009, 11:10 AM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Leigh, Lancashire
Posts: 3,722
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
Ok having almost finished dealing with fungi things from Clumber at weekend I now just have to come into this thread 
A few of you will know I do have a campervan - an old fixed high-dome VW - we have had it 12 years (my dear late dad bought for us a month after we were married - I argued with him long and loud about the cost (it was a steal but still!) and tried to tell him we couldn't afford to run it - I'm so glad now he overruled me!!!) but next year it will be 20 years old ......... I dread anything happening to it - I love it more than the husband (yes he says he knows his place in the heirachy of things!!!) I've taken more photos from its windows or large sliding door than I poss have anywhere out in the open! And thats despite the fact than (unlike everything else I own - its not camo - its red!) Yes it is cramped and after three weeks continuous use we are glad to get back in the house and walk from room to room!
For me its been the best thing in my life ever - its taken me places and allowed me to stay out late and start days early - the number of things I've seen while sat in bed with binocs in one hand and a brew in the other ..... its done the Hebrides almost every year ........ its just - well its just a little star 
Pauline |
07-10-2009, 04:04 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Broad hinton - thats in wiltshire
Posts: 9,618
| | | Re: I want a Campervan
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Ford So where were you that you could watch the sun setting in the East?
;^)
Jim | presumably if the truck was facing east he would have been sitting in the back watching the sun set in the west (the back doors of a truck looking in the opposite direction to the way the vehicle faces) 
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